Maria Brennan

President & CEO, WICT

This year, under Brennan’s leadership, WICT developed and implemented a forward-thinking strategic plan to help the organization evolve with the ever-changing industry. She’s vocal about the power gender diversity—as well as diversity in general—can bring to any business, but especially to the cable industry. Brennan also welcomed a new Pittsburgh chapter, WICT’s twenty-first, earlier this year. “Fortunately today, and in large part thanks to cable programming, there are too many favorite female characters to name them all,” she says. “I appreciate women’s roles that are multi-faceted—a reflection of the full range of women in society.”

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

Work hard to leave the world better than how you found it. That’s your job. And don’t forget to floss!

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why?

Fortunately today, and in large part thanks to cable programming, there are too many favorite female characters to name them all. I appreciate women’s roles that are multi-faceted – a reflection of the full range of women in society. I am huge fan girl of Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in “Homeland.” And on the lighter side, Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Veep” and Mindy Kaling in “The Mindy Project” are brilliant. It was a big treat to have Danai Gurira, Michonne on “The Walking Dead,” keynote at our Touchstones Luncheon. It’s hard not to be impressed with a sword-wielding zombie slayer.